Trump's defense chief to travel to South Korea, Japan next week: Pentagon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis's first trip will be to South Korea and Japan starting on Feb. 1 to meet his counterparts and "underscore the commitment of the United States to our enduring alliances," a Pentagon spokesman said on Wednesday.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Mattis plans to visit Japan and South Korea, choosing two close U.S. allies for his debut trip abroad as Pentagon chief.